As the students’ own housing company, AF Bostäder has a considerable responsibility to prudently manage its funds. In general, the company is restrained concerning sponsorship, but sees a great value in supporting the activities in student life and the Lund Carnival in particular. The sense of community in Lund’s student life is unique in Sweden, and the investments help to strengthen Lund as a university city.
AF Bostäder has a long tradition of supporting various events and activities that are meaningful for Lund’s students. For example, the company contributes annually to the Akademiska Föreningen’s activity and investment fund, to which the societies in student life can apply for grants. The Akademiska Föreningen decides on how the money is to be allocated. AF Bostäder has also sponsored the Lund Carnival since 2014, probably the ultimate fun event in Swedish student life.
“Studying at Lund University involves so much more than studies,” says Henrik Krantz, CEO of AF Bostäder. “Those who apply here are of course aiming for one of the world’s best universities, but equally important in the choice of where to study is the sense of student community – and in Lund it is unique.”
Student life in Lund is organised around the student unions, student nations and AF Family – a trinity that together forms Studentlund. The student unions are connected to the departments, but the primary task is to monitor the quality of education. The student nations offer accommodation and run social activities alongside studies. The AF Family consists of the Akademiska Föreningen (Academic Society), which offers an extensive range of cultural activities, AF Borgen – the students’ own building – which, in the best location in the middle of Lundagård, houses the Akademiska Föreningen’s activities as well as a café, restaurant, venues, parties and much more, and, of course, AF Bostäder, which is the students’ own housing company, with a long and close relationship with Lund’s students.
“Through Studentlund, the students get access to the whole of Lund’s student life – entertainment, meeting places and accommodation – all in a single membership,” says Henrik Krantz. “When you study in Lund, you become part of a rich social life filled with activities, cultural events, traditions and antics with unlimited creativity. It’s easy to find friends for life and have fun during your time here. No other student area in Sweden can match such an offering.”
The Lund Carnival has been a key part of student life since 1894. The carnival is organised by Lund University Student Unions (LUS) through the carnival body and carnival committee. According to the LUS statutes, the carnival is to be run every four years, and, in the spirit of Lund and carnival, is to involve students and the general public in Lund. The organisation is to be voluntary and non-commercial.
“When the work duties are to be allocated, a long queue of volunteers forms, often days before, outside AF Borgen,” says Henrik Krantz. “In 2022, nearly 7 500 carnival workers took part and organised, created, built, served and entertained. Everyone is taking part for the first time but succeeds even so in creating entertainment of the highest quality. The environment is creative, inspiring, open and welcoming, and has always acted as an incubator for Lund humourists. The theme for the year was the Catastrophic Carnival, as a celebration of misunderstandings, faux pas and blunders.”
“A Lund Carnival attracts about 400 000 visitors over three days and when it’s time for the carnival procession, 200 000 people gather in central Lund. Both the social value and the marketing value are unbeatable. As the students’ own housing company, it is self-evident that we will support Sweden’s best student life and Sweden’s best student carnival. We are now counting down to 13.00 on 22 May 2026, when it all kicks off again. We hope to see you there,” says Henrik Krantz.
Latest update June 9, 2023